Ramsbury FC U14s win last game of the season and are crowned Division Champions!

Well, thank god that was the last game of the season, I’m not sure I’ve got another game in me for a while!! The drama couldn’t really have been greater.  Our final game of the season, against the 3^rd place team and the title of League Champions in touching distance…all while knowing that Hungerford were playing at the same time and could leap in to first place.

The top four teams battling it out in a May 12^th showdown.  Kingsdown were on a great run of form too, steamrolling South Cerney 7-0 just last week, and with incredibly similar results to us this was always going to be a tough contest.

With the sun blazing, both teams agreed to waterbreaks during each half, essentially splitting the match in to old-school quarters, and it’s fair to say we got better with each quarter.  The first quarter we looked a bit nervy with mistakes creeping in.  In the second quarter we settled and started to ask questions but still had a tendency to sit too deep, inviting pressure.

Kingsdown were attacking down the wings with terrific pace and some great overlapping runs.  Both teams had adopted the same 4-1-4-1 formation and dominance see-sawed between the two teams.  At half time the players were frazzled but we needed to build on our momentum and take advantage of having 4 subs to inject some fresh energy. I wanted our defence to own anything that came their way with confidence and starve their attackers of opportunities which we did brilliantly.  As the game opened up pockets of space began to appear and Harry became a huge threat down the right wing. We went close in the 3^rd quarter when Fredddie whilsted one over the bar, a corner almost crept in and Finn was so close to getting on the end of a cross.

By the end of the 3rd quarter nerves were shredding rapidly, Evie was in bits on the sidelines, and the tension was ridiculous.  If we could just get a goal…and then it happened!   Harry once again marauded down the right and pulled the ball back to Freddie who smashed a glorious near-post finish past the keeper. Unbelievable!! (I’m actually getting goosebumps writing this 🙂! ) What a goal, what timing, everyone leapt for joy.  Could we now keep our focus for the remainder of the game? The final whistle seemed to take a lifetime and then finally the ref blew for the end of the game, what a result…Division champions!

Player of the match was really tough to call, everyone put in a shift, and there were duels all over the pitch, which particularly in the second half we started to win more and more.  Henry was captain, not only has he made a massive impact since his return, but it felt fitting given we were playing Kingsdown in the final game and the journey he’s been on this season to come back from injury….so pleased he got to play some games!  He pushed himself to the brink in the first half, and I thought Finn had a great game when he was subbed on for Henry. I thought Harry coming on in the second half changed the game for us though. He was always available to receive the ball and caused their defence all sorts of problems. With their left winger not getting back Harry made huge ground for us, getting deep in to their half, winning corners, throw-ins and looking to get team mates in on goal, capping it off with the assist for the goal.

And that was it, the close to an incredibly eventful (and long) season. You don’t get many opportunities to win a league, least so at home, in the sun, on the final day of the season…beyond special.  So proud of the kids and so grateful to you guys for making this such a great team.  All the effort that went in to the bbq, I couldn’t help but think what a fantastic day it had been and how lucky we really are.  So many of the other coaches have been in touch to congratulate us and say it couldnt have happened to a nicer team…although the message from the Hungerford coach seems to have got lost…🤣

A quick bit of admin:

Rich.